These easy Snowball Cookies are an old fashioned, buttery shortbread cookie with pecans that are dipped in powdered sugar. They’re an elegant treat to enjoy any time of the year and to add to your Holiday season baking!
Some people know these cookies as Italian wedding cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, and even Russian Tea cookies. I grew up calling Pecan Balls. However you may know them, they are melt-in-your-mouth yumminess that everyone loves.
Pecan balls were one of my Grandma’s specialties and are truly one of my fondest childhood Christmas traditions and are, by far, my favorite cookies. We made these cookies and these Oreo Balls every year and it’s so great creating the same memories with my own children.
These pecan cookie balls are the best simple and delicious treat that comes together quickly and the dough freezes well. It’s hard to beat cookies shaped like little snowballs right?! They are pure decadence.
Ingredients Needed
Butter – a cup of unsalted butter to give that classic, buttery shortbread flavor
Sugar – just a tad of white sugar gets mixed into the dough
Water – a small amount of water to moisten the dough
Vanilla extract – To give it the cookies flavor
All purpose flour – I have also used Bob’s Red Mill One-to-one flour
Pecans – chopped finely in a food processor or with a hand held chopper
Confectioners’ Sugar – to roll and coat the baked cookies in
Tips and Variations
Make them with no nuts if you’d like.
Used chopped walnuts, almonds, or any type of nut you’d like to use.
Add ⅓ cup of mini chocolate chips if desired.
Add ½ cup cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
Chop nut in a food processor or with a hand held chopper.
Add 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if desired.
How to Make These Butter Ball Cookies
Preheat oven to 325 ° F
Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium speed. You can also use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment as well
Add in the water and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Then add flour and mix on low speed until flour is just mixed in, making sure to scape down the sides of the bowl..
Add the chopped nuts and gently stir to combine.
Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours
Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough into your hand and roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
After baking, transfer to a wire rack and cool for 5-10 minutes.
Place the confectioners’ sugar in a shallow bowl or plastic bag. Roll each baked cookie ball in the powdered sugar while they are still a little warm. Then place them on a sheet of parchment paper .
Roll in the powdered sugar again for a second time after they have completely cooled to generous coat the outside of the cookies.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5-6 days.
Yes, you can place the cookie dough in a freezer bag and freezer for up to one month. The entire ball of dough can be frozen or roll the cookie balls and then freeze them. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature prior to baking.
Freeze snowball cookies after baking as well. Once they have thawed completely, roll them in powdered sugar again to freshen them up.
Try these other easy Holiday treats too:
Raspberry Pecan Pinwheel Cookies
Old Fashioned Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter salted 2 sticks, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon water optional
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups all purpose flour sifted
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- ½ cup confectioners Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 ° F
- Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream with an electric mixer. You can also use a stand mixer.
- Add in the vanilla extract and water and mix until combined.
- Then add flour and mix thoroughly.
- Add the chopped nuts and gently stir to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours
- Roll the chilled dough into 1 inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- After baking, transfer to a wire rack and cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Then roll in confectioner's sugar.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Chelle
Don’t use this recipe. Not sure why I tried a new one instead of the one I have. Cookies flatten like others said. I’ve never had that happen. Oven temp is too low. Should be around 375. Had to cook them longer as they started to fall apart when rolling in powdered sugar. Will be making another batch with my momma
Recipe.
Nan
The cookies do not stay in a ball. I’ve tried a couple of other recipes and the difference is this one uses too much granulated sugar. I think that’s why they flatten because my dough chilled for 2 hours and never got to room temperature before baking.
Marly
Followed exactly. Cookies flattened no balls like expected.
Nancy
Cookies flattened
Sherri
If they flatten, they have probably gotten too warm during the rolling process. You can place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before baking them. Also place the dough back in the refrigerator between batches.
Krissy D
Bad experience- cookies dread did not stay in ball shape. Couldn’t coat in sugar. Sprinkled/dusted instead.
Was there supposed to be baking powder in with the flour?
Virgie L.
I had the same exact problem, I’ve made these cookies before, I couldn’t find my recipe, this the first time they flattened.
Sherri
A couple of things can cause this. 1. When the butter gets too hot too fast. Make sure you start with butter at room temperature. It shouldn’t be too soft and shouldn’t be melted. 2. When the cookie dough gets too warm before the cookies start baking. You can chill the ball after rolling for a few minutes so the butter doesn’t melt too quick once putting them in the oven.
Maria
Happy New Year 2024 !!! God bless you and family !!!
Dianne J.
I cant wait to make these and more of your Recipes
Thank You for Sharing